athletics career, I suffered hugely with my mental health.” In a situation that many at every stage of their career will be able to relate to, Dame Kelly Holmes went on. “I had ambition, I had hope, but I was also suffering a lot from identity crisis and from people believing I was something different to who I actually was; from me putting pressure on myself to prove I could be the best at everything I did. I put myself through challenge and mental trauma to try and reach everyone else’s expectations as well as mine.” This pressure to perform and
CHANGING MINDSETS AROUND MENTAL WELLBEING A well-known, high-achieving athlete, Dame Kelly Holmes is candid about her own experiences living with mental health issues. To help shift the conversation in organisations, she shared her story in the GoodHabitz webinar. “I think there’s a misconception that people that you see in the public eye – people like your boss who’s got a bigger job than yours, or somebody who you’re inspired by – don’t suffer with their mental health,” began Dame Kelly Holmes, underlining the importance of storytelling to mental wellbeing. “I hope that by telling my story, it’ll inspire you to realise that it’s about being human, about connecting, communicating and having the confidence to be you.
“On the face of it, I’m this
champion and everything’s perfect. The smiles you see as you cross the line, the flags flying and medals around the neck. But during my
not being able to communicate, share and receive the right support for what was going on below the surface ended in a breakdown. “When I was 33 and preparing for the World Championships in Paris, I had what we all know as a breakdown. I was sitting on the floor absolutely screaming inside, thinking that I don’t want to be here, becoming at that time a self- harmer. I didn’t know who I was because this wasn’t who I thought I was. I thought I was strong and powerful. I was a PT instructor in the army. I’m an Olympian. How can I be the shell of myself ? “When I had professional
burnout, it was because I had this narrative in my head that I had to keep going. I had to prove to everybody I deserved the position I had. But at the end of it all, I was just a human being, just one person who strived to be the best version of herself, but I put all these external pressures on me. “At some point, there is a
breaking point when your mind doesn’t get help. So many people go through life hiding their feelings for fear of judgement. Maybe feeling embarrassed. Maybe thinking you don’t want to worry other people. But why should you suffer in silence? The best thing that’s ever happened to me is when I started to tell people my story and get help. It’s not easy opening up. But it’s a strength to be open and transparent. It doesn’t stop you being a successful person.”
This message is a powerful one.
People drive companies forward. Therefore, recognising every aspect of our humanity, including the many life events that impact our wellbeing, investing in and equipping individuals, teams and organisations to do this is critical if we are to improve outcomes and quality of life for everyone.
“ Having a socially supportive environment where you feel able to at least share ‘I’m not having my best day today’ is a wonderful thing.”
GOODHABITZ HR DIRECTOR SANDRIEN BOOGAARD
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GLOBAL LEADERSHIP WELLBEING MENTAL HEALTH
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